With easier access to a variety of forms of
encrypted messaging, why aren’t there more options for making encrypted voice
and video calls? Well, first off, let’s start by saying there’s a lot more choice than there was, say ten
years ago.
WhatsApp, Skype, Google Hangouts and
FaceTime all provide encrypted, secure voice and/or video calls – provided both
parties are using the same system. What isn’t widely available is the simple
and reliable ability to ensure your conversation is secure from prying ears, if
you’re calling someone on their land line, from your cell phone.
The Difficulties
The reason that it’s easier for companies
to keep encrypted call services in house is because making video and internet
calls is a pretty big challenge in itself. Once they’ve found a system that
works, the process of making changes to work with other providers – that could
limit both the call and secure ability – could mean a surge in development time
and costs.
It would also mean they’re sharing the
positive results of all their investment with other companies, for free! That
might not seem like a particularly difficulty to the end user. But, believe us
when we say research & development investment levels can be very high for tech companies, so they aren’t often
inclined to share the fruits of their hard work and high spend.
Encryption Services Growing
Despite the difficulties around creating,
providing and supporting encrypted phone and video calls, the number of
providers is growing. Just recently, messaging service the TelegramApp, has begun to offer secure calls across Australia.
You can also purchase devices that are
designed to make your calls secure – but they’re rarely cheap. Cryptophones are
another option – but again, you can only use one to call another Cryptophone.
This shows that more tech businesses
understand the importance of not getting left behind and providing the services
that people want to use. But right now, most of those businesses seem content
with offering those secure calls in a closed environment.
Why Encryption Services are Important
Of course, in an ideal world we wouldn’t
need encryption services, because no-one would want or be able to listen in.
But, they do and can and that includes Governments around the world, as well as
cyber
criminals and businesses trying to sell anything and everything to us.
Sure, most of us aren’t doing anything we
shouldn’t in our day-to-day life. But, that doesn’t mean weshould forgo our privacy and let anyone who can or claims they have the
authority, to actually do it. By having easy access to encrypted and secure
messaging and phone and video calls, we’re protecting our own right to privacy.
Luckily, this is something tech companies
understand, which is why more easily accessible encrypted calls across multiple
providers and app is likely to be a possibility, at some point in the future.
